Verdict · NHTSA data
Limited data — recalls on file
NHTSA has just one complaint on file for the 2001 Kenworth T2000 — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 5 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.
1
NHTSA complaints
5
Recalls
0
Investigations
0
Crash-involved
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
—
NCAP overall
| Component | Complaints | Share | vs prior year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 1 | 100% | — flat |
5 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Defect
ON CERTAIN HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH VERTICAL TAIL PIPES, THE FRAME ACCESS GRABHANDLE IS MOUNTED TOO HIGH.
Consequence
THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE A PERSON TO SLIP AND/OR FALL AND COULD LEAD TO PERSONAL INJURY.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE GRABHANDLE LOCATION AND IF DETERMINED TO BE MOUNTED TOO HIGH, THE HANDLE WILL BE RELOCATED TO THE PROPER HEIGHT. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 29, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT KENWORTH AT 1-425-828-5440.
Defect
ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH JOST INTERNATIONAL JSK 37U SERIES FIFTH WHEELS, A FATIGUE CRACK CAN DEVELOP IN THE BRACKET PIN WELD UNDER CERTAIN LOADING CONDITIONS.
Consequence
IF LEFT UNDETECTED OR CORRECTED IT COULD LEAD TO THE SEPARATION OF THE FIFTH WHEEL TOP PLATE FROM ITS MOUNTING STRUCTURE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRACKET PINS AND REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS FREE OF CHARGE. PETERBILT'S OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 20, 2003. KENWORTH'S OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 12, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT PETERBILT AT 940-591-4201 OR KENWORTH 425-828-5440.
Defect
ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH TRUCK HUB UNITS MANUFACTURED BY SKF EXCLUSIVELY FOR USE ON ARVINMERITOR'S FF98X SERIES NON-DRIVE STEER AXLES, THE HUB UNIT BEARINGS CAN WEAR PREMATURELY.
Consequence
SEIZURE OF THE BEARINGS CAN CAUSE WHEEL SEPARATION OR WHEEL END FIRE.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE ALL FRONT AXLE HUBS. NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 16, 2003. THE MANUFACTURER HAS ADVISED US THAT PARTS WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE UNTIL SEPTEMBER 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITH A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT PETERBILT AT 940-591-4201 OR KENWORTH 425-828-5440.
Defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS. THE DRIVELINE U-JOINT FASTENERS AT THE OUTPUT YOKE OF THE TRANSMISSION WERE IMPROPERLY TIGHTENED.
Consequence
UNDER-TIGHTENED FASTENERS CAN LEAD TO THE DRIVELINE BECOMING DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE RESULTING IN PROPERTY DAMAGE OR PERSONAL INJURY.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL TIGHTEN THE DRIVELINE FASTENERS TO THE PROPER SPECIFICATION. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 26, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT KENWORTH AT 1-425-828-5000.
Defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 54" REAR AXLE SPACING CONFIGURATION OF THE AIRGLIDE 200 SUSPENSION WITH THE SERVICE APPLICATION IDENTIFIED AS LOGGER, DUMP TRUCK, OR TANKER. THE REAR SUSPENSION IS REGULARLY SUBJECTED TO EXTREME ARTICULATION, RESULTING IN FLEXING OF THE JOINT.
Consequence
FAILURE OF THE LOWER SWAY ARM ATTACHING BOLTS COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LOWER SWAY ARM BRACKETS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 27, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT KENWORTH AT 1-425-828-5000.
The record is thin — 1 NHTSA complaint — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 5 recalls should be verified as completed.
Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2001 Kenworth T2000. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.